Engineers working on the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) will start work at Mirfield station in West Yorkshire over the New Year period.

They will lay 663 metres of new track, test signals and carry out work to the station platforms and Station Road footbridge. The work at Mirfield, which is four miles north east of Huddersfield, will create longer platforms that will enable longer trains with more seats to call at the station; will add waiting shelters; and will enable step-free access via lifts and a new footbridge.

The work will disrupt journeys between Huddersfield and Leeds on Saturday 30 December through to Monday 1 January , so Network Rail is advising passengers to check before they travel.

While the upgrade work takes place, Station Road will close from Lowlands Road to Back Station Road, with diversions and signage in place.

The work is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, which promises to deliver to passengers:

• more trains and more seats, including up to six fast services every hour between Leeds and Manchester and up to two stopping services for local connectivity
• faster journeys, including 63-66 minutes between Manchester and York and 41-42 minutes between Manchester and Leeds
• more reliable journeys
• better, more accessible stations
• greener travel, reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality.

Network Rail is also working on a proposal to move more goods by rail (up to 15 more freight trains each day), which would remove over one thousand lorries from the road each day.

TRU promises to bring to local communities:

• jobs for local people: 80% employment from within a 40-mile radius of the route, 60% from within a 25-mile radius. The current workforce numbers two thousand, which may double over the course of the programme. TPU is employing an apprentice for every £4million spent.
• improved natural environments near the railway, through 10% biodiversity net gain across the route, creating and enhancing habitats for wildlife.

TRU plans include:

• electrifying the whole route between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds
• installing a new digital signalling system
• doubling the number of tracks from two to four between Huddersfield and Westtown in Dewsbury
• improving stations, to improve experience, comfort and accessibility
• improving the railway on diversionary routes to allow more trains to run, improving capacity and reliability.

Gareth Hope, Sponsor for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “These upgrades are a vital part of our wider programme of work, and I’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding while they take place.

“We understand how important the festive period is for people seeing family and friends, so we have worked closely with our train operating colleagues to keep people on the move.

“I’d encourage anyone travelling by train to plan their journey ahead of time and check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director at TransPennine Express, said: “The engineering works at Mirfield station during the New Year period are vital to delivering a railway fit for the 21st century across the North of England. These upgrades will lead to real benefits for our customers who travel between some of the biggest cities in the North.

“While this work takes place during the New Year period, there will be changes to TransPennine Express services, and we would urge our customers to check our website before they travel: www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/changes-to-train-times.”